Battleground Cheat Sheet

Key Swing States in the 2008 Elections

As the 2008 presidential contest enters its final stretch, the candidates have revved up their campaigns, seeking to redraw the electoral map in their favor. Ten states in particular — because of their swing status — are worth watching. These "battlegrounds" offer either candidate a chance at 136 total electoral votes — about half of the 270 votes needed to win.

Colorado: 9 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Bush | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 50.8%(-0.5) 44.3% (+1.3) (Source: Rocky Mountain News)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 16 20
» Last Visit Oct. 26 Oct. 24
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $9.6 M $3.6 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7-Oct. 13) $1.5 M $990,000
Florida: 27 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Bush | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 48.5% (+0.3) 45% (+0.2) (Source: Miami Herald)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 43 76
» Last Visit Oct. 30 Oct. 29
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $17.6 M $14.6 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7-Oct. 13) $4.7 M (+ RNC) $1.8 M
Indiana: 11 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Bush | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 44.6% (-0.9) 47.6% (+1.6) (Source: Indianapolis Star)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 33 3
» Last Visit Oct. 31 July 1
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $2.8 M $1.7 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7-Oct. 13) $1.9 M (RNC only) $790,000
Missouri: 11 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Bush | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 47.8% (+0.4) 48.2% (+1.4) (Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 21 18
» Last Visit Oct. 30 Oct. 20
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $4.3 M $2.8 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7-Oct. 13) $2 M $842,000
Nevada: 5 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Bush | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 50.3%(+0.3) 43.3% (+0.8) (Source: Las Vegas Sun)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 38 9
» Last Visit Oct. 25 July 29
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $1.9 M $1.9 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7-Oct. 13) $1 M $370,000
New Hampshire: 4 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Kerry | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 52.7% (+0.1) 40.2% (+0.2) (Source: Concord Monitor)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 80 108
» Last Visit Oct. 16 Oct. 22
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $2.1 M $847,944
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7 - Oct. 13) $1.1 M $289,000
North Carolina: 15 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Bush | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 48.9% (+0.6) 46.3% (-0.7) (Source: The News & Observer)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 32 6
» Last Visit Oct. 29 Oct. 28
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $7.3 M $2.8 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7-Oct. 13) $2.1 M $2.7 M
Ohio: 20 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Bush | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 49.2% (-0.1) 43.4% (+0.4) (Source: Cleveland Plain-Dealer)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 44 46
» Last Visit Oct. 27 Oct. 31
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $5.9 M $5.5 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7 - Oct. 13) $4.1 M (+ RNC) $2.9 M
Pennsylvania: 21 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Kerry | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 52.5% (+0.4) 42.7% (+1.1) (Source: Philadelphia Inquirer)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 45 41
» Last Visit Oct. 28 Oct. 28
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $11.9 M $5 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7 - Oct. 13) $3.8 M (+ RNC) $2.6 M
Virginia: 13 electoral votes | 2004 Winner: Bush | More About This Race »
Statistics Barack Obama John McCain Local Headlines
» Current Polling (RCP average) 51% (+0.3) 44.5% (+0.6) (Source: The Washington Post)
» Personal Visits (since Jan. 2007) 29 25
» Last Visit Oct. 30 Oct. 13
» Contributions (through Oct. 15) $14.4 M $8.4 M
» Ad Dollars Spent (Oct. 7 - Oct. 13) $3.9 M (+ RNC) $1.1 M

SOURCES: FEC, Real Clear Politics, staff reporting
CREDITS: By Tony Romm (editorial), Alyson Hurt (design) -- washingtonpost.com

© The Washington Post Company